Chap. XX. VISIT TO A GENTLEMAN’S HOUSE. 327 
in the more southern towns, with whom we have 
been longer associated. The women run into 
their houses and shut their doors on the approach 
of a foreigner, and the people generally are averse 
to our entering their dwellings. 
One day I observed, not far from the north gate 
of the city, some high trees enclosed by a wall, 
and, as the place looked somewhat like a garden, I 
felt anxious to enter and examine it. When the 
inmates saw me approaching, an alarm was 
instantly given, and the door, which had been 
standing wide open, was unceremoniously shut in 
my face. Nothing daunted by this proceeding, I 
mildly remonstrated with those who stood behind 
it, telling them they had nothing to fear from me ; 
that I was, like themselves, fond of flowers, and 
begged permission to examine the garden. After 
some consultation amongst them, the door was 
opened, and ten or twelve of the male portion of 
the establishment presented themselves. I sup- 
pose I did not look as if I would do anything 
wrong, so, after a little parleying, they consented 
to admit me. A message was sent in to warn the 
ladies to get out of the way and hide themselves, 
an order, by the bye, which was not obeyed very 
strictly, and I was then led into the courts of the 
mansion. Here I found some pretty rockwork 
and ponds, with a few flowering shrubs and trees 
arranged and grouped according to Chinese taste, 
and all very pretty and enjoyable. Having had 
much experience of Chinese manners and polite- 
